2 hours: Time from oven to refrigerator.Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.Otherwise, throw them away.

2 inches: If the leftovers you are chilling are at a depth of more than 2 inches, it will take longer to cool and that fact has to be taken into account with their food-safety-zone.

4 days:Held in the fridge, otherwise you need to freeze it.Exceptions to this rule are, A) stuffing and gravy (2 days), and food served outdoors or in a picnic environment.It held in a chilled surface, they may be kept, but if served and they remain outside in the heat and flies, pitch them after they were enjoyed for safety.